Administrator of Novaie Zhyccio Church Fined Another 2 000 USD

10.10.2005.

Vasil Iurevich, administrator of Novaie Zhyccio protestant church is fined $2 000 for Sunday liturgy. According to the previous verdicts, father of four under-aged children has to pay $4 000 more.

He was judged at the office of Minsk Maskouski borough police. Those who wanted to attend the trial weren’t let in. Before this Vasil Iurevich complained to procurator’s office asking to turn attention at the absence of the police report describing the essence of his violation. He was very surprised to see that four such reports instead of two necessary according to the law were added to his case as a result.

He hoped that the court would stop the case. Meanwhile, it is the third trial for unauthorized liturgy. However, this time he was also punished with $2 000 fine. Now he has to pay about $6 000 to the state.

Vasil Iurevich thusly commented it to RFE/RL:
-- Not everyone can allow oneself to pray God for such money. Six thousand dollars… This trial is ordered. The policemen who took part in the trial boldly lied. The judge again found me guilty. I see they do everything possible to make us refuse from our liturgies and gatherings. I think they didn’t imprison me not to turn public attention.

-- Anyway, we will continue praying and gathering for liturgies and we won’t stop. We will apply to international structures and raise this question in order to defend our rights and position. I noticed that everything begins from us. We were the first church to be thrown out of recreation houses. Others watched it and in half a year it happened to them as well. The authorities intend to make short work of us first of all to intimidate other ones and break the believers’ spirit, -- -said Viachaslau Hancharenka, pastor of the church.

The believers haven’t left their shrine since 2 September. They keep duty lest the authorities could seize the building when no one is in. According to the legislation, in the case the court decides to make the building state property, the court officers can make it forcibly.